Come to the Cross

2 Corinthians 5:14 – 17

Come to the Cross

First of our Lent series “Power of the Cross.”

Devotions this week.. At the cross Jesus became the means by which God removed our sins and renewed our hope. It is my hope that we come to the Cross this Lenten season and find in Jesus death and resurrection the blood, that removes our sins. And as we gaze at the cross, we will see it’s shadow point to slightly used, yet empty, tomb and renew our hope.

And God has planted the Cross squarely in the center of His grace towards us.... Demonstrating without question His love for us... This morning, inviting us on a journey towards that Cross and our Savior.

Why is this so important?

I. The cross commands our attention.

A. [v 14] The compelling love of Christ for us.

1. Sacrifice for another is the highest honor anyone can achieve.

a. Jesus... God the son... left heaven to be one of us.

“ HEB 2:14 Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might destroy him who holds the power of death‑‑that is, the devil‑‑ [15] and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death. [16] For surely it is not angels he helps, but Abraham's descendants. [17] For this reason he had to be made like his brothers in every way, in order that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, and that he might make atonement for the sins of the people. [18] Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.” [Hebrews 2:14 – 18]

b. We cannot underestimate the ways Jesus shared our humanity because that sharing was the key to Him destroying the devil and his works AND freeing us on the Cross.

2. As we look at the cross we understand Jesus died in our place; the just for the unjust.

a. Our sins required justice... someone had to pay the price.

b. However, the sacrifice had to be a “perfect, spotless, sinless” one.

B. We are compelled into relationship with God and the ones God loves.

1. To God because of the debt of love.

2. To the church (collection of those who trust only in what Jesus has done on the cross for their salvation).

3. To the world, as God extends His mercy and grace through us to those who are dying and going to eternal hell BECAUSE they have yet to come to the Cross.

The word “controls” or NIV “compels” is a military image of a band of soldiers fighting as a unit together under a banner. “His banner over us is love.” That love of God and for God drives our lives, directs our steps, and delivers us sin.

II. The cross obliges our affections.

A. [v 14] We have concluded... with certainty of the fact of Christ’s death for us.

1. This conclusion leads us to the duty of no longer living for ourselves [v 15]

a. Problem: We are very self centered. One philosopher (Kant) accused humans as acting selfishly in everything we do.

b. Problem: Our very culture is founded on the “everyone for themself” principle. (Struggle between selfishness and the looters that would take our stuff and “redistribute the wealth.”

2. The thing is we are not to live for ourselves or others... “BUT FOR HIM.”

a. We are obliged to either pay the dead own to sin (“wages of sin”) or the debt of love owed to God.

b. Here’s the deal:

1.) Sin leads to pain, chaos, and misery before death and Hell.

2.) Love leads to joy, peace, and goodness (to mention a few).

B. Why is this so?

1. On the Cross Jesus “redeemed” us.

a. Paul speak for every human when he claimed:

“ I am unspiritual, sold as a slave to sin.” [Romans 7:14b]

b. Redeemed means “to buy back.”

“...Jesus Christ [14] who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.” [Titus 2:14]

2. That means:

a. “You are not your own” [1 Corinthians 6:18c]

b. “you were bought at a price.” [1 Corinthians 6:19a]

(Ill. When you were married... you exchanged singleness for unity. When you take a job you exchange your time, creativity, and energy for a pay check. When you get a license you exchange being prohibited for responsible use.)

III. The cross moves our actions.

A. The Cross brings conviction which moves us to action.

1. What you do is based on what you believe. What you believe drives what you do.

a. If you find yourself standing on the road with a large truck speeding towards you... what will you do?

b. It depends on what you believe... (notice the outcome doesn’t depend on what you believe... your actions depend on what you believe).

2. What conviction do we have?

a. “You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly.” [Romans 5:6]

b. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” [Romans 5:8]

B. What does this do?

1. When our orientation to God changes... our orientation to others changes.

2. If we were once wrong about God... then we were also wrong about others.

IV. The cross exchanges our asphyxiating lifestyle for the free breath of life.

(“Once I used to exist, now, I’m alive!”)

A. The power of the Cross is only effective for those “in Christ.”

1. [v 17] There is the invitation: “If anyone...”

a. “Limited time offer!”

Maybe today is your last day.

Maybe this is the last time you will be sensitive enough to hear God call your name.

(Ill. Wesley... the person who is waking up... can decide to wake up or go back to sleep.)

b. “Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts.” [Hebrews 4:7b]

Trouble is each time you walk away from God... you make it harder the next time.

Saying no becomes a habit... it sets the heart against responding to God... it hardens your heart.

2. It is a choice... “to be or not to be, that is the question.”

B. What difference will it make?

1. The “old” that is slowly suffocating those without Christ.

a,. We are drowning in our sin, our pull toward sin, and all the illusion of freedom it gives us.

b. We suffocate under the burden of what our sins cost us.

“Blessed is the man whose sin the LORD does not count against him and in whose spirit is no deceit. [3] When I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long. [4] For day and night your hand was heavy upon me; my strength was sapped as in the heat of summer.” [Psalm 32:2 – 4]

2. The new is life!

a. Think of it: Starting over and being clean before God.

b. The joy of the possibility: to live and not just exist.

How Christians can get saved

Romans 10:9 – 10

How Christians can get saved

“Jesus is Lord”

1. Jews understood “Lord” to mean “God.” (The Jews substituted the word “Lord” for the sacred name of God, in an effort to not use the name in vain, break the 3^rd commandment.)

2. Romans understood “Lord” as referring to Caesar (proclaiming him to be a god)... this formula became a test of loyalty when Caesar issued “license” to be Christian. To obtain a license one had to swear an oath to the Roman “gods” and offer a sacrifice OR declares “Caesar is Lord.”

3. Political understanding: Declaring “Jesus is Lord” meant to make Jesus your ruler (King). As a counter measure against the Jewish leaders’ declaration “We have no king but Caesar.”

4. Ethical understanding: “Jesus is Lord” meant that Jesus controls your life... daily.

“Therefore I want you to understand that no one speaking in the Spirit of God ever says "Jesus is accursed!" and no one can say "Jesus is Lord" except in the Holy Spirit.” [1 Corinthians 12:3]

“So that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, [11] and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” [Philippians 2:10 – 11]

“[Confess] denotes a public declaration or assent.” (Barnes)

The Greek word translated “confess” emphasizes saying the exact words: “Jesus is Lord.”

1. Not magic... instead it is a test.

2. Saying something publicly, “going on the record” is important.

CNN (the guy that took over the “Larry King Show”) asked Joel Osteen if he thought homosexuality was a sin. Rev. Osteen said “yes” because “that’s what the Bible said.” The questioner then noted this was the first time Osteen had taken a public stand on “sin.”

The prediction is this will dramatically change Osteen’s image of being “soft” on “hard” issues and his reputation for avoiding answering theological questions and concerns.

“Believe in your heart” (Heart = thoughts and feelings... the place choices are made)

1. Specifically the resurrection... why?

“(Jesus) was declared to be the Son of God in power according to the Spirit of holiness by his resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord.” [Romans 1:4]

a. Jesus’ life and death are implied in His resurrection.

b. “Christ” meant “anointed one.” This was the Greek word for “Messiah.”

c. Nothing of what Jesus said and did is significant without the resurrection!

“For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, [4] that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures, ... [12] Now if Christ is proclaimed as raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? [13] But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. [14] And if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain and your faith is in vain.” [1 Corinthians 15:3 – 4, 12 – 14]

2. Believe means to place confidence in... or “trust”... or “depend.”

a. Different ways to believe (something that doesn’t make a difference, something that effects us, or something that changes everything)

b. (Ill. of transferring our weight from our feet to the pew...) EXCLUSIVE!

It is with belief... in the heart... that we are “justified” (“made right” which is a legal term)

Why is this important?

1. The Jews worked out their own religious practices based on their traditions and religious teachers.

“For, being ignorant of the righteousness of God, and seeking to establish their own, they did not submit to God's righteousness.” [Romans 10:3]

3. They depended on “the merit of their works, and by their observance of the ceremonial law.” [Matthew Henry]

4. “The moral law was but for the searching of the wound, the ceremonial law for the shadowing forth of the remedy but Christ is the end of both.” {Matthew Henry)

5. The Jewish system of the Law said, “do and live.” Sacraments replaced truth, enthusiasm replaced knowledge, membership replaced salvation.

6. The Christian system of Grace makes the same error... it creates opposite and equal imbalances. Truth replaces obedience, holiness replaces truth, and enthusiasm replaces responsibility.

7. Both leave out the confession (and outward expression of an inward reality) with the mouth... “Jesus is Lord.”

Notice there are TWO different words for “saved” in the Greek text... They are distinguished by the verb tenses in the English translations.

[v 9] “you will be saved” (sozo – save, as in to deliver/heal)

[v 10] “is saved” (soteria – rescue)

The first is a promise that will one day be fulfilled the second is the present benefit of that promise. In other words we say “Jesus is Lord” to acquire salvation, not as a result of salvation.

“The moment a sinner believes, therefore, he is justified; his sins are pardoned; and he is introduced into the favor of God.” (Barnes)

“Confession or profession is so made as to obtain salvation.” (Barnes)

New Year's Dare

Isaiah 55:6 – 11

New Year’s Dare

“I resolve to let God be right, about everything.”

 

I.         The problem:

 

            A.        We like to be right. We resist the possibility we might not be right!

 

                        1.         How often to you admit to being wrong? (Seldom...) When do you admit to being wrong? (When forced with unpleasant consequences...)

 

                        2.         How often do you just give up the disagreement because the other person is resisting/being stubborn?

 

            B.        How many of us have the life skills and grace to ADMIT we are not right and ACCEPT responsibility?

 

                        1.         As children we are “forced” to comply with authority and those who hold power over us.

 

                        2.         We are trained to resist... “Passive-Aggressive”

 

II.       Reality [vv 8 – 9]

 

            A.        God is not like us.

 

                        1.         God does not think like us or behave like us.

 

                        2.         God’s thoughts and ways are “light years” ahead of ours.

“For the foolishness of God is wiser than man's wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than man's strength.” [1 Corinthians 1:25]

Our limited mind gets it backwards.

“The man without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned.” [1 Corinthians 2:14]

Here’s the reality:

“For the wisdom of this world is foolishness in God's sight. As it is written: "He catches the wise in their craftiness [20] and again, "The Lord knows that the thoughts of the wise are futile.” [1 Corinthians 3:19 – 20]

This is the consequence of our thinking: We make our own “god.”

“Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools [23] and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like mortal man and birds and animals and reptiles.” [Romans 1:22 – 23]

[Even Christians make their own version of “god” when we make God think and behave like us, or how we want God to think and behave.]

 

            B.        Hard reality, but true:

 

                        1.         The difference between God and humanity is GREATER than the difference between humanity and any animal.

 

                        2.         In other words,

 

                                    a.         What God says is right, true, and correct; even/especially if we don’t understand it.

 

                                    b.         What God does is righteous, holy, and loving; even/especially if we don’t like it.

 

III.      Objection!

Why do BAD things happen to good/innocent people?

 

            A.        There are five possible ways for bad things to happen:

 

                        1.         Natural disaster (tsunami).

 

                        2.         Accident (car accident).

 

                        3.         Self-inflicted (smoking/second hand smoke).

  

                        4.         Momentary lapse/insanity (“Santa slayings”).

 

                        5.         Pre-meditated/Planned evil. (September 11)

 

            B.        Possible views:

 

                        1.         The “deist” view thinks God set things in motion but is not personally involved.

 

                                    a.         Argument: There are spiritual laws/principles that cannot be violated. (Like the physical laws.)

 

                                    b.         Answer: yes but they can be come a “White Tiger.”

(Ill.) In India there was a “fakar” who went from town to town “creating” gold in boiling pot of mixed things. Someone would ask him how he did it... for a big price he would give them the “formula” and say, “it only works if, when you do this and say these words, you do NOT think of a white tiger.” The “formula” never worked. He would be arrested and tried but never convicted because in his defense he would ask... “did you think of a white tiger?”

A “White Tiger” is a condition to be met that automatically nullifies the possibility.

Example of a “White Tiger:” A radio evangelist once announced: “If you believe, God will put the keys to a new Cadillac into the hands of an angel and send those keys to you right away. But if you doubt for an instant, those keys are gone.”

 

                        2.         The “determinist” believes God pre-determined every action and behavior in the universe.

“If there is one single molecule in this universe running around loose, totally free of God’s sovereignty, then we have no guarantee that a single promise of God will ever be fulfilled. Perhaps that one maverick molecule will lay waste all the grand and glorious plans that God has made and promised to us... our maverick molecule could change the course of all redemptive history. Maybe that one molecule will be the thing that prevents Christ from coming.” [R. C. Sproul “Chosen by God” pp. 26 – 27]

[Response: This seems to be a very weak concept of God and an attempt to explain the chaos caused by sin... If God were sovereign: Then maverick molecules, sinful people, or even defiant armies would NOT prevent anything God wants to accomplish, any time God wants to accomplish it. “Now He is far above any ruler or authority or power or leader or anything else – not only in this world but also in the world to come.” (Ephesians 1:21)]

 

                                    a.         Some will suggest it this is accurate then God is the source of all evil if God predetermined or even allowed evil/bad.

 

                                    b.         Some will suggest that if God is not capable of stopping evil/bad then God is weak, and not God.

 

                        3.         A Biblical model.

 

                                    a.         God works with humans on four different levels.

 

                                                1.)       Eternal destiny (salvation/grace).

“He is so rich in kindness and grace that He purchased our freedom with the blood of His Son and forgave our sins.” [Ephesians 1:7 NLT]

 

                                                2.)       “Big Picture” history (Messiah, Revelation).

“And this is the plan: At the right time He will bring everything together under the authority of Christ – everything in heaven and on earth.” [Ephesians 1:10 NLT]

 

                                                3.)       Groups (nations, churches)

“God’s purpose was that we Jews who were the first to trust in Christ would bring praise and glory to God. And now you Gentiles have also heard the truth, the Good News that God saves you. And when you believed in Christ, He identified you as his own by giving you the Holy Spirt in, whom He promised long ago. [Ephesians 1:12 – 13 NLT]

 

                                                4.)       Individuals.

“God saved you by His grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it.” [Ephesians 2:8 – 9 NLT]

 

                                    b.         There is a hierarchy.

 

                                                1.)       An individual will suffer or benefit what the group suffers or benefits. [see Matthew 5:45b] We do not completely control our own destiny.

 

                                                2.)       The group fits into the ultimate plan, purpose, and flow of history. The group does not necessarily control its own destiny.

 

                                                3.)       The individual has “free will” to react and interact with circumstances, life, others, and God. (You cannot control your circumstances but you control your reactions.)

Ravi Zacharius: “sanctity of free will” What we struggle with is that the sanctify of free will appears to be godless chaos from our limited perspective.

 

IV.      Back to reality

 

            A.        God does not abandon us to the chaos of sin, even if we do not understand God or the chaos.

 

                        1.         God has given us the Bible [vv 10 – 11]

 

                                    a.         The Bible has a PURPOSE.

 

                                    b.         The Bible reveals God’s PLAN.

 

                        2.         God has given us an invitation:

 

                                    a.         [v 6] Seek and call on God. This will require energy and time.

 

                                    b.         [v 7] Forsake wicked ways and unrighteous thoughts. This will require discipline.

 

                                    c.         [v 8] Turn to God. This will require humility.

 

            B.        What skills are we going to need? [“Trust”]

 

                        1.         We are going to have learn “historical remembering” (v emotional remembering).

“For I know my transgressions, and my sin is always before me. [4] Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight, so that you are proved right when you speak and justified when you judge.” [Psalm 51:3 – 4]

 

                                    a.         When we take things personally/emotionally we resist.

“When I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long. [4] For day and night your hand was heavy upon me; my strength was sapped as in the heat of summer. [Psalm 32:3 – 4]

                                    b.         When we step outside our emotional resistance we have a chance to hear God.

“Then I acknowledged my sin to you and did not cover up my iniquity. I said, "I will confess my transgressions to the LORD – and you forgave the guilt of my sin.” [Psalm 32:5]

 

                        2.         We will have to be courageous.

“Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. [24] See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” [Psalm 139:23 – 24]

 

                                    a.         Do what is right, even when everyone around you is not...

 

                                    b.         Do what is right, even if we gravitate toward what is comfortable.

 

                        3.         Keep in step with the Holy Spirit.

“Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.” [Galatians 5:25]

 

                                    a.         To do this, we will have to hear and listen (obey)

 

                                    b.         To do this, we will have to be consistent reading the Bible.

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